Will gay actors be able to continue playing straight roles

[operafan]

So, we know being gay is no longer the kiss of death for an actor. But has our society evolved to the point that they will accept these guys playing dads and romantic straight leads?

New viewer-tolerance test cases: gay actors in straight romantic roles

By Scott Collins

LOS ANGELES TIMES

In the 29 years since Billy Crystal outraged -- and later won over -- critics with his mostly sympathetic portrayal of a gay man on the sitcom Soap, prime-time audiences have come to accept straight actors playing gay parts, in groundbreaking hits (Eric McCormack in Will & Grace) and in all-but-forgotten flops (John Goodman in Normal, Ohio).


But will viewers prove as welcoming toward gay actors in straight roles, especially as romantic leads? We might soon find out, as Americans grapple with their conflicted and evolving views on gays and lesbians.


Last month, T.R. Knight, who plays the romantically yearning and unquestionably heterosexual Dr. O'Malley on ABC's smash Grey's Anatomy, came out as gay with a statement to People magazine, adding, "I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me." Knight's sexual orientation evidently was a factor in a now-notorious on-set altercation between Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey.
Two weeks ago, another coming-out message landed on the editor's desk at People, this one from Neil Patrick Harris, who plays the womanizing cad Barney on CBS's comedy How I Met Your Mother. "I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest," Harris wrote. his publicist initially denied Internet rumors that the actor is gay.



continued... http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/entertainment/16081335.htm

 

[pills]

Not quite. Don't think the "A list" is ready yet. B through D should be fine.

 

[Inwood]

I don't know - I'm a fan of Grey's Anatomy and although I know TR is gay I don't find it harms his character in any way. In fact, I give him more credit now for being able to do love scenes with that Amazon they hooked him up with.

 

[thermodynamics]

Well, being gay is just a part of the person. It isn't the defining thing of a person.

 

[Danugh]

On Greys Anatomy it wierds me out everytime George and Callie are together. I feel bad for the actress that has to be his girlfriend, knowing that he is gay.

I dont think they should be allowed to play straight roles. Just not convincing and its not right.

There are so many concerns to worry about especially for the actress he has to do scenes with.

 

[gaddou]

why newboy can't he play a straight. Do not forget he is an actor and a good actor will make you believe his caracter straight or gay.

 

[rotary]

edited message

 

[colemanshs]

The dad on the Brady Bunch was gay in real life...

 

[jaysizzles]

Last month, T.R. Knight, who plays the romantically yearning and unquestionably heterosexual Dr. O'Malley on ABC's smash Grey's Anatomy, came out as gay with a statement to People magazine, adding, "I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."

This, unfortunately, is a current problem that actors face when the are out. You never hear a media story about so n so, the straight actor, who did blah blah... but a gay actor invariably will have the title automatically attached to their name...as if that is what defines them as an actor rather than the character they play. There are still a lot of closed minded people out there as well...which could translate into lost (potential) profits to networks and movie studios...and we all know that money is the bottom line with them. I think TV is slowly accepting...but I'm not sure if Hollywood is ready to cast a gay man in a straight leading romantic role. Rupert Everett comes to mind...I don't think even I could disassociate it with him.

In time...like the article says...I think the younger and future generations, who aren't phased by someone's sexual orientation, the ability will be more available.

 

[ComNavFdgPk]

I can't imagine why not...straight actors seem to have no problem playing gay roles!

 

[prettyboysing]

On Greys Anatomy it wierds me out everytime George and Callie are together. I feel bad for the actress that has to be his girlfriend, knowing that he is gay.

I dont think they should be allowed to play straight roles. Just not convincing and its not right.

There are so many concerns to worry about especially for the actress he has to do scenes with.

You feel bad for her? I think she's fine. First of all, she comes from a theater background (as does T.R. Knight); I think she's perfectly comfortable working with homosexuals. And, maybe it's easier knowing that your scene partner isn't going to take it too far. Either way, it's her job, she's a professional... no need to feel bad.

In answer to the original question... it's hard to say. A lot of Americans tend to be short-sighted about this issue. They have no problem with Eric McCormack playing gay (although a lot of people wrongly assume he is gay), but wouldn't accept a gay man in a straight role. If you look at the NPH message boards on imdb there are already people saying they can't watch him on How I Met Your Mother anymore.

On the other hand, I haven't heard about serious dips in either show's ratings, so maybe things are looking up! I think the smart thing to do is continue on with the characters as is and leave the actors personal lives out of the show. Ellen was trying to make a point and she succeeded (but at the expense of her show), but now let's show them that NPH can play straight as well as (or better than) Eric McCormack played gay.

 

[SixPackInBoxers]

This, unfortunately, is a current problem that actors face when the are out. You never hear a media story about so n so, the straight actor, who did blah blah... but a gay actor invariably will have the title automatically attached to their name...as if that is what defines them as an actor rather than the character they play. There are still a lot of closed minded people out there as well...which could translate into lost (potential) profits to networks and movie studios...and we all know that money is the bottom line with them. I think TV is slowly accepting...but I'm not sure if Hollywood is ready to cast a gay man in a straight leading romantic role. Rupert Everett comes to mind...I don't think even I could disassociate it with him.

In time...like the article says...I think the younger and future generations, who aren't phased by someone's sexual orientation, the ability will be more available.

Oh Yea? What about the past and present? Rock Hudson, Cary Grant, Lawrence Olivier, Noel Coward - and bi's like Marlon Brando etc etc. They all played leading roles and about 50% of the present leading Hollywood actors are - or are believed to be gay. Like a certain lead actor who just got married in Italy who has a rich Australian boy friend.

Come on. Hoolywood is made up of gay leading men.

 

[Lucifer_9]

I hope it doesnt happen, but i have this feeling that somehow a gay story arc will be incorporated at least onto Greys Anatomy. I hope not, because in my opinion, that is a HUGE sell out. Many of the straight George fans will be in outrage. But i wouldn't put it past the producers/writers.

 

[Yves]

Rupert Everett is an interesting example. He has mentioned the limited range of characters he has been offered in Hollywood compared to the range of his European filmography. European producers work at a smaller scale and are (relatively) more open to use gay actors in straight roles. The British theater/movie tradition is not neutral either. Skills are what count. Daniel Craig, the new James Bond (an archetypical straight character), Clive Owen have played gay roles just like Rupert Everett or Ian McKellen have played straight in British productions. The credibility of the fictional character (and not the actor's personal life) is what counts. Hollywood is much more conservative. Producers of big-budget movies in the US are afraid of controversy. Independent producers are more open.

 

[jaysizzles]

Oh Yea?

yea!

What about the past and present? Rock Hudson, Cary Grant, Lawrence Olivier, Noel Coward - and bi's like Marlon Brando etc etc. They all played leading roles and about 50% of the present leading Hollywood actors are - or are believed to be gay. Like a certain lead actor who just got married in Italy who has a rich Australian boy friend.

Come on. Hoolywood is made up of gay leading men.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think that these men were openly out to the general public during the highlight of their careers ('m not going to speculate on any either). Would any of them have reached their sucess if they were completely out...probably not. That is what the point of the thread/article is...gay actors aren't willing to come out because they have a fear of not getting roles as straight men...they'd be typecast in the limited gay roles available...and hopefully with time and exposure this will continue to change.

I didn't feel like looking up all the references you made...but I thought this exherpt from Wikipedia was noteworthy...

As a homosexual man, Coward never married. He enjoyed a lengthy relationship with the stage and film actor, Graham Payn, for almost thirty years until the end of Coward's life. Payn later edited the collection of his diaries published in 1982. Coward refused to acknowledge his homosexuality, wryly stating, "There is still a woman in Paddington Square who wants to marry me, and I don't want to disappoint her."

From his youth Coward had a distaste for penetrative sex and held the modern homosexual scene in disdain

 

[RenaissanceMan]

Anyone should be able to play whoever...as long as it physically makes sense.

But it definitely doesn't seem to be working that way...

Though personally, straight actors playing gay roles aren't always that convincing either if all I think about is their real-life persona and who their wife is.

We're not talking about porn here are we?